Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced that the Downtown Selma River Stabilization Project will receive $803,000 in new funding from President Biden’s bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to help the City of Selma address the severe river erosion that threatens the stability of the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge as well as many buildings adjacent to the Alabama River. This new federal investment comes as the Biden Administration and Congresswoman Sewell continue their focus on improving infrastructure resilience and creating jobs for families.

“Every year, public officials, Foot Soldiers, faith leaders, student groups, and community activists travel to Selma, Alabama, to commemorate the anniversary of Bloody Sunday. As we continue the fight for voting rights, the City of Selma and the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge now and forever stand as a symbol for equality, justice, and civil rights,” said Rep. Sewell. “However, the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the buildings in Downtown Selma adjacent to the Alabama river are under threat from the severe river erosion caused by multiple natural disasters. Thanks to our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, $803,000 is soon headed to Selma.” 

With these new federal funds from the Army Corps, officials will be able to complete preconstruction engineering and design of the stabilization project and ultimately expedite completion of the project.

The Biden Administration announced yesterday that the Army Corps of Engineers will invest $14 billion in 500 projects across the nation that focus on strengthening critical supply chains.  Due to decades of underinvestment, and accelerating climate threats, supply chains have struggled to keep pace with the strong economic recovery – burdening families and businesses with added costs and delay. These new investments will create jobs and economic opportunity, while strengthening key water infrastructure projects, improving resilience to the climate crisis, and restoring the environment.

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021.